calotte

American  

[kuh-lot] / kəˈlɒt /

noun

1. zucchetto.

2. skullcap.

---

calotte British  

/ kəˈlɒt /

noun

1. a skullcap worn by Roman Catholic clergy

2. architect a concavity in the form of a niche or cup, serving to reduce the apparent height of an alcove or chapel

---

Etymology

Origin of calotte

First recorded in 1630–40; from French, Middle French: “skullcap,” from Provençal calota, or Italian callotta; further origin uncertain; perhaps from Greek kalýptra “veil, cover, hood”; perhaps from Arabic kalūta “cap”; compare also Latin calautica “woman's headdress”

Example Sentences

White House officials also announced the menu for the hundreds of guests: a cheese plate featuring three American cheeses; butter-poached Maine lobster; and calotte of beef with triple-cooked butter potatoes.

From Washington Post • Dec. 1, 2022

The calotte of beef was served with shallot marmalade.

From Washington Post • Dec. 1, 2022

She comes with four changes of clothes: a Kelly green ball gown, a teal suit with a calotte hat, a sweater and matching kick pleat skirt and a nightgown with a peignoir.

From New York Times • Jul. 16, 2020

Prudent, he donned a business suit and a derby hat, the latter concealing his pontifical calotte.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Bust of a Man, seen in a front view, having on a cap in the shape of a calotte, and a mantle bordered with carmine.

From Rembrandt and His Works Comprising a Short Account of His Life; with a Critical Examination into His Principles and Practice of Design, Light, Shade, and Colour. Illustrated by Examples from the Etchings of Rembrandt. by Burnet, John